The use of waxes has experienced an increased growth in their application as additives for the Ink Industry, mainly due to advances achieved in the particle size control, leading to a significant improvement in the handling and application processes.

In general, inks utilized in the printing industry are prepared with the following basic components:

1.- Coloring agent.

• Vegetable, mineral or synthetic pigment, dispersed.
• Dissolved dye.

2.- Coloring vehicle.

• Solvent.
• Water.
• Oil.
• Resin.

3.- Additives.

• Dryers.
• Waxes.
• Loads.

Among the most utilized waxes in the preparation of printing inks, natural waxes of vegetable origin are preferred- Candelilla and carnauba- as well as synthetic waxes such as polyethylene and Fischer-Tropsch waxes. However, the market trend is towards a higher utilization of natural waxes, mainly Candelilla wax, given that synthetic substitutes have not reproduced faithfully the essential properties required for inks preparation.

Since this industry requires harder waxes with higher melting points, the range of possibilities concentrates on:

• Candelilla wax.
• Carnauba wax.
• Polyethylene waxes.
• Fischer-Tropsch synthetic waxes.
• Polyprophylene waxes.
• Wax blends.

The inks properties, improved with the use of wax additives, are basically the following

• Brilliance.
• Anti-blocking properties.
• Abrasion strength.
• Scratching strength.
• Sliding capacity.
• Striking Strength.

Application Table for Inks

Notes:
Melting point is determined by the USP 741 Class II method. Color is determined by the ASTM D1500 method. Acid number by the USP 401 method.